Week 7 // Miyeon - Fantasy

"I just think my neighbour should come round for a drink and try out the new pool," Miyeon says it all so flippantly. She's got that princess-by-birth aura overflowing - the one where she looks like the sun could never possibly rise without her blessing.

"And I would love to, but -"

"But nothing, Sana's out of town for the weekend and you've got nothing better to do." Your voice is caught in your throat like a stubborn lump of gristle. Miyeon has you pinned down. "And you know that if she was here then she'd only be dragging you across the street to do the very same thing anyway."

She's got a point. A very good one. These girls are inseparable in that way, and they've been best friends since forever. So much so that you recall that first date with Sana, and the 'chance' meeting with her best friend who just happened to be at the very same bar, on the very same day.

"You know what, okay, sure, why not. It's not like I've got anything better to do."

Miyeon smiles sweetly. That smile where her eyes curl up into crescents and her mouth seems to form the very definition of joy. It's one you're ever so familiar with, given that Sana has the exact same one. You see it when she's really happy. And now, seeing it in Miyeon too, it's almost like you can't tell them apart. Miyeon gives you a final instruction before she departs, leaving you alone by the car: "3 PM would be perfect, don't be late."

-

The sun is hot and relentless. A blazing orb in the sky that beats down on the tarmac in a way that creates visible heat, rising up. You're crossing the street a minute before three, wearing shorts and a simple t-shirt, carrying a towel over one shoulder. It's a quick walk over, and you skip using the front door, heading right around to the back. You find Miyeon sunbathing, stretched out on one of the patio chairs. She's wearing a white bikini, a simple and practical affair with a floral pattern. 

"Should have said you were already out here; I could have come over earlier," you say, looking up.

"It's not a big deal; it's just sunbathing, you know. But if you really want to make up for it, then how about you get me a drink from inside?"

“Make it up to you…” you say under your breath. As if you did anything wrong.

You head indoors. Miyeon's house is always eerie to enter. It's all so... familiar. Look, the girls have the same taste in almost everything, and it doesn't stop at interior design. They would probably be carbon copies, if not for you.

She's got wine, perfect. You head back outside with two glasses. Miyeon takes one with a smile, and you take the other, sitting on the chair beside her. 

"So what do you think?" Miyeon asks, gesturing to the new pool and patio.

"Looks... familiar."

"How so?"

"Come on, Miyeon." You roll your eyes. "It's just like ours."

"Really?" Miyeon smiles. "I was sure it was completely different."

"Sure, sure," You chuckle and shake your head before taking a sip from the wine. "And Sana would be in that exact same chair, too."

"Would she? Same bikini too? I had no idea. I thought we had a different colour?" Miyeon glances down, touching her bikini top. "Oh, no, maybe it is the same."

You shake your head and smile.

"So," Miyeon looks you up and down, "how are you coping, being alone for a while?"

"It's only been three days, Miyeon."

"Three days is a long time for a guy like you, I think."

"Well, yes. I'll admit that the bed is a little cold without her."

"And there's no one there to cook for you."

"I can manage on my own, thank you very much."

"No cuddles."

"Yeah, well, you've got me there."

"No morning sex."

"Miyeon."

"What? She’s a yapper."

"Still," you sigh. "I'm missing her, sure, but it's not like the world is ending. We'll see each other on Sunday, and all will be good again."

"Good, glad to hear it. So," She smiles, leaning back, "want to take a dip?"

-

You end up spending most of the afternoon and evening by the pool. It's a good way to beat the heat, and you and Miyeon get plenty of sun. And before you know it, you've emptied two bottles between you and the air's growing colder. You're both sitting on the steps of the pool, with the last of the wine shared between your glasses. Miyeon's laughing - hard. So hard that she's struggling to finish the story.

"It was, uh, it was a mess," Miyeon shakes her head, trying to finish. "And Sana was, was covered, covered, in sauce. She was so angry!"

“What did she expect? You told her not to do it, but she did it anyway."

"I told her! But," Miyeon shrugs, "she didn't listen. She never does, not really."

"Another thing you share."

"Hey, now," Miyeon turns towards you. The water laps gently at her sides as she does. "We're not exactly the same. In fact, I can think of some very clear differences between us."

"Like what?"

"Well, I'm smarter."

"Uh huh," you nod.

"And," Miyeon continues, "I'm cuter."

"Sure, sure," you sip from the glass, smiling.

"And, I'm taller."

"Actually, I think Sana's got a couple of centimetres on y -" 

Miyeon shushes you loudly, and leans in, placing a finger over your lips.

"I -" Her face is a little too close to yours. Her eyes are sparkling in the light. "- am better at cooking."